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On a scale of zero to ten, how often do you wish you could somehow wave a magic wand and know how much pain your patient is in—zero being never and ten being every day? Four? Ten? Twenty? ER Doc Brady Pregerson and Nurse Rebekah are ready to “go there” in the first of a four-part series on pain management. Dr. ...

ER doc Brady Pregerson and Nurse Rebekah perform a raid and bust on that sketchy personality, the “Candyman.” Why does he exist? And what is he thinking? In Part I of our Pain Management series, we looked at the challenge of gauging your patient’s pain. In this article, we examine the many consequences of taking a too-easy approach to a complex ...

Let’s face it: We’ve all doubted certain patients’ complaints of pain. We’ve all wondered whether their “pain” was really a not-so-cleverly disguised cry for a cheap fix. So how do you know if your patient is in pain—or just wants drugs? In Part I and Part II of our Pain Management series, ER doc Brady Pregerson and Nurse Rebekah Child examined ...

You've got a lot to learn, grasshopper! Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about the differences between seasoned nurses, whom we call "lifers" because they will likely retire on our floor and have been around a long time, and new nurses. This probably has something to do with the fact that, in my new job, I am working with nurses ...

This article originally appeared in Scrubs Magazine. In nursing, like all vocations based on serving others, the best practitioners are those who do it not for recognition or financial gain, but rather out of a sense of responsibility. As a young girl in upstate New York, Pattie Jakel felt the calling. At the age of 15, she found herself caring ...

An EMT instructed to transport a woman to an abortion clinic declines, citing personal beliefs. A nurse ordered to administer a large dose of morphine to a terminal cancer patient in pain refuses, saying the medication could hasten death. A physician turns away a gay patient, apparently on the basis of his sexual orientation. Are these scenarios examples of healthcare workers ...

Have a happy and healthy work life! When you first become a nurse, it's easy to believe that you'll always love your job. But there will come a time where burnout, frustration and boredom take their toll. While you can't avoid every pitfall all, there are some mistakes that you can veer around. Make the most of your career as ...

Celebrities. We love to hate them. We also love to watch their every move, laugh at their mistakes and scrutinize their decisions. Like them or not, their celebrity status means not only have they achieved career success, they’ve also got a hell of a lot to lose. And sometimes, whatever actions have helped catapult them to fame or rendered them ...

No one goes to work with the idea that they will be sued for malpractice today. However, nurses understand that not all patients will get well, and some patients will believe they were misdiagnosed or mistreated. When you receive court documents, whether by mail, by deputy sheriff, or private process server, your life will change, and you will need expert help ...

Did you know that anyone – your employer, a co-worker, a patient, even a jilted lover – can file a complaint against your practice? Handle it well, and you could turn it into a valuable learning experience. Handle it poorly, and you could lose your license. NursingLink spoke to a Sheryl Oakes Caddy, a nurse, nursing faculty instructor and an attorney ...

The stresses and strains of working in the nursing industry can take their toll on even the strongest personality. From persistent patients to strict regulations, nurses are constantly facing challenges both big and small, physical and emotional. At some point, it is more than likely that the pressures of your job will get to you and you will wonder, "Is ...

While some people might be looking forward to a cruise or family trip this summer, many healthcare professionals plan to use their time off to volunteer their expertise at medically supervised summer camps that serve children and adults with medical conditions ranging from asthma to AIDS. These camps, typically held over the course of a week or weekend, rely on nurses, ...

The current economic climate doesn’t exactly lend itself to asking for a raise. With all the talk of bailouts, budget cuts and layoffs (not to mention undue bonuses), many an employee is wary of asking for more money. But what if you deserve a raise? According to some experts, you are in luck. Now could actually be the best time to ...

Don't just sit there, basking in your continued employment... Phew. You survived the culling. Or maybe your hospital has managed to avoid a mass layoff. Either way, you're one of the lucky ones. Unlike so many of your friends and family, you won’t have to deal with the unemployment office or cancel your cable — yet. But instead of sitting ...

When you’ve worked so hard to get that first job after college, the last thing you want is to screw it up. Sadly, new grads do it all the time. The problem rarely stems from lack of knowledge or poor technical skills. It often goes back to something simpler: Your persona in the workplace, particularly during your first few weeks on ...

It is official…3 West is closing permanently. During an emergency meeting, the staff was informed that the neurosurgical floor will close at the end of this month. One of the neurosurgeons has retired and the other two are leaving to start a practice in another state. The patient census has been consistently down over the past year…the unit is simply losing ...

The role of "patient advocate" is new and evolving. As the importance of patients' rights gains momentum, a group of healthcare professionals has banded together to stand up for the best interests of their patients. Because patient advocates are a new career path, many healthcare professionals declare themselves "patient advocates" after extensive experience in the fields. However, degree programs focusing on ...

Do you consider yourself to be a leader? The definitions of the words leader and manager are often confused. Traditional managers have assigned roles and titles within an organization, as they carry out specific functions, duties and responsibilities. Managers exert control over decision making and obtaining results as they direct both the willing and unwilling. In contrast, leaders do not necessarily ...

Whether you're a veteran healthcare worker or just starting out, some long-held myths about the industry can hinder your career—or stop you before you even get started. Learn the truth about these six common nursing career myths. Myth 1: The nursing shortage guarantees me the perfect job when I graduate. "While the shortage of nurses is acute across the United States, ...

Valesca Adams, RN, was a new mother and eager to switch to a unit with regular day hours when a friend told her about an opening on the dialysis unit. Adams landed the job at Texas Children's Hospital and quickly discovered that dialysis nursing offered much more than just normal hours. She found that the rigorous demands of dialysis treatments allowed ...